Tube connecting apparatus

ABSTRACT

A tube connecting apparatus that can carry out self reset operation without giving damage to the apparatus and that safety of an operator is considered. The tube connecting apparatus has an EEPROM memorizing information with respect to a connecting process state of tubes. When electric power is inputted, the apparatus judges whether power supply was shut off during tube connecting operation based upon the information memorized in the EEPROM with respect to the connecting process state of tubes and a detecting result of a wafer  41  according to a wafer position detecting sensor  421,  and carries out reset operation. In the reset operation, the apparatus restarts and completes connecting operation (S 620  to  632 ) by heating the wafer again to fuse the tubes adhered to the wafer (S 614, 616 ). Error indication is displayed at a LCD display to secure connecting strength and the like (S 634 ). A locking state is not cancelled during cooling time after heating of the wafer is stopped to secure safety (S 628  to S 632 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tube connecting apparatus that cutsand then connects flexible tubes, and in particular relates to a tubeconnecting apparatus equipped with an automatic reset function for acase that power supply is shut off during tube connecting operation andthe apparatus stops its operation.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Conventionally, in a case that tube connecting between ablood-collecting bag and a blood-component bag in a blood transfusionsystem, exchanging between a dialytic-fluid bag and a waste-fluid bag incontinuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) or the like is carriedout, it is necessary to connect tubes under a sterilized condition. Forexample, in JPB 61-30582, a tube connecting apparatus equipped with apair of holders capable of holding two tubes to be connected in paralleland a cutting plate (plate-shaped heater element, wafer) capable ofmoving across the tubes which are placed between both of the holders isdisclosed. In this tube connecting apparatus, the cutting plate isheated and moved to melt and cut the tubes in a state that the two tubesare held in parallel and in an opposite direction in grooves which areformed at the holders, then, one of the holders is moved in a diameterdirection (row direction) of the tubes to coincide cut ends of the tubesto be connected each other, and the cutting plate is extracted by movingit to an evacuated position to fuse both of the tubes.

Further, for example, in JPA 6-91010, a tube connecting apparatus whichemploys the same tube connecting method as the above apparatus, whichhas a first clamp and a second clamp which hold two tubes in a parallelstate, and which moves the first clamp in parallel to the second clamp,in order to improve reliability of tube connecting, is disclosed. Thetube connecting apparatus has a first clamp movement mechanism thatcarries out merely forward or backward movement for advancing orretracting the first clamp, and a second clamp movement mechanism thatmoves the second clamp merely in a direction that the second clampapproaches/separates to/from the first clamp.

Furthermore, for example, in JPA 4-308731, a tube connecting apparatus,which employs the same principle of heating, melting and then connectingthe tubes each other under a sterilized condition by utilizing a cuttingplate, yet which connects the tubes in a state that liquid in the tubesis kept contained without leaking the liquid even in a case that theliquid remains inside the tubes before the tubes are cut, is disclosed.In this tube connecting apparatus, two tubes (a first tube, a secondtube) are held on the same rotation locus respectively according to apair of tube holders allowed to rotate relatively, after the two tubesare cut between the holders by a heated cutting plate, the tube holdersare rotated such that a cut end face of one end side of the first tubealigns (corresponds to) a cut end face of another side of the secondtube, and the cutting plate is evacuated to fuse both of the tubes.Moreover, for example, in JPA 9-154920, a tube connecting apparatuswhich is capable of not only connecting tubes in a state that liquidinside the tubes is kept contained and sealed without leaking the liquidbut which can realize downsizing of the apparatus and of parts for theapparatus due to a small moving amount of the tubes at the time ofconnecting the tubes, is disclosed. In this tube connecting apparatus,two tubes to be connected are accommodated and held in two tube-holdingassembly (a first tube-holding assembly, a second tube-holding assembly)in a contacted state with each other, after the two tubes are cut by aheated cutting plate, the second tube-holding assembly is rotated by 180degrees relatively to the first tube-holding assembly such that cut endfaces of the tubes are replaced with each other for alignment, and thecutting plate is evacuated to fuse both of the tubes.

In each of these conventional apparatuses, a cutting member for cuttingthe tubes in a heated state is usually used by changing it every time ina manner that it is disposed of at every connecting operation of thetubes. There are manual exchanging operation and automatic exchangingoperation. In general, comparing with the manual exchanging operation,the automatic exchanging operation lowers workload for an operator andenhances working efficiency. As an example of the automatic exchangingoperation, for example, JPA 2000-308670 (pages 8 to 9, FIGS. 1 and 2)discloses a tube connecting apparatus equipped with an automatic cuttingmember conveying mechanism which pushes cutting members accommodated ina cassette one by one to a conveying path to supply a cutting member toa predetermined position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problem to be solved by the Invention

However, in the conventional tube connecting apparatuses, when theapparatuses stop their operation due to interruption (shut off) or thelike of power supply, since a special consideration for reset operationto the apparatus thereafter was not paid, there was a case that repairbecomes necessary because the apparatuses have trouble due to that anoperator forcibly takes off the tubes adhered to the cutting member fromthe apparatuses which stopped during connecting operation; there was acase that the apparatuses have trouble due to that blood in the tubes isscattered into an interior of the apparatuses; or there was a hazardthat the scattered blood infects an operator. For these reasons, it ispreferable that an operator can safely carry out reset operation withoutgiving damage to the apparatus even in a case that the apparatus stopsits operation due to interruption or the like of power supply.

In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present inventionis to provide a tube connecting apparatus that can carry out self resetoperation without giving damage to the apparatus and that safety of anoperator is considered.

Means for solving the Problem

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the presentinvention is directed to a tube connecting apparatus, comprising: aholding section which holds at least two flexible tubes to press them toa flat state; a cutting section which cuts the tubes held in a flatstate by the holding section; an electrode section for supplyingelectric power for heating to the cutting section; a cutting sectionmovement unit which moves the cutting section between a tube cuttingposition and a tube non-cutting position; a cutting section detectingsensor which detects the cutting section moved by the cutting sectionmovement unit; a holding section movement unit which moves the holdingsection to change relatively positions of the cut tubes such that endportions to be connected contact closely each other; and a controllingsection which controls power supply to the electrode section as well asmovement of the cutting section movement unit and the holding sectionmovement Unit, wherein, when the apparatus operates again after a halt,the controlling section judges necessity of reset operation inaccordance with detecting information of the cutting section detected bythe cutting section detecting sensor.

In the first aspect, at least two flexible tubes are held and pressed toa flat state by the holding section. Through the electrode section,electric power for heating is supplied to the cutting section which cutsthe tubes held in a flat state by the holding section, the cuttingsection is moved from a tube non-cutting position to a tube cuttingposition by the cutting section movement unit, then the tubes held in aflat state by the holding section are cut. The holding section is movedto change positions of the at least two tubes cut by the cutting sectionrelatively by the holding section movement unit such that end portionsto be connected contact closely each other, thereby the tubes areconnected with each other. Power supply to the electrode section as wellas movement of the cutting section movement unit and the holding sectionmovement unit are controlled by the controlling section. When theapparatus operates again after a halt, the controlling section judgesnecessity of reset operation in accordance with detecting informationdetected by the cutting section detecting sensor on the cutting sectionwhich is moved by the cutting section movement unit. According to thefirst embodiment, since the controlling section, when the apparatusoperates again after a halt, judges necessity of reset operation inaccordance with detecting information of the cutting section detectingsensor and controls the power supply to the electrode section as well asthe movement of the cutting section movement unit and the holdingsection movement unit in a case that reset operation is necessary, selfreset operation becomes practicable without giving damage to the tubeconnecting apparatus.

In this aspect, there are various embodiments for controlling of resetoperation executed by the controlling section: For example, thecontrolling section may have a non-volatile memory which memorizesconnecting process information expressing a state of connecting processof the tubes, and when the connecting process information memorized inthe non-volatile memory is information expressing being in a state ofconnecting operation and when the cutting section detecting sensordetects the cutting section moved to the tube cutting position, thecontrolling section may judge that the reset operation is necessary andcontrol the power supply to the electrode section as well as themovement of the cutting section movement unit and the holding sectionmovement unit to carry out the reset operation. The apparatus mayfurther comprises an engagement section which engages at least a part ofthe holding section to prohibit the holding section from openingmovement out of the pressing state of the tubes; and a holding sectionlock sensor which detects an engagement state of the engagement sectionagainst the holding section, and when the connecting process informationmemorized in the non-volatile memory is information expressing being ina state of connecting operation and when the cutting section detectingsensor detects the cutting section moved to the tube cutting positionand the holding section lock sensor detects the holding section engagedwith the engagement section, the controlling section may judge that thereset operation is necessary and control the power supply to theelectrode section as well as the movement of the cutting sectionmovement unit and the holding section movement unit to carry out thereset operation. The apparatus may further comprises an engagementsection which engages at least a part of the holding section to prohibitthe holding section from opening movement out of the pressing state ofthe tubes; and a display section for displaying information, and whenthe controlling section judges that the reset operation is necessary,the controlling section may control the power supply to the electrodesection as well as reset operation of the cutting section movement unit,the holding section movement unit and the engagement section, andcontrol the display section to display error indication.

In such a embodiment, when a predetermined time lapsed from beginning ofheating of the electrode section to the cutting section, the controllingsection may drive the non-volatile memory to memorize the informationexpressing being in a state of connecting operation as the connectingprocess information. The apparatus may further comprises a positiondetecting sensor which detects that the holding section moved by theholding section movement unit reached a connection finish position forcontacting closely the end portions of the cut tubes each other, andwhen the position detecting sensor detects that the holding sectionreached the connection finish position, the controlling section maydrive the non-volatile memory to memorize information expressing beingin a state of non-connecting operation as the connecting processinformation. Further, the cutting section may have a cutting plate whichcuts the tubes, and the non-volatile memory is capable of memorizingexchange information of the cutting plate, and the apparatus may furthercomprises a cutting plate conveying section which conveys the cuttingplate to the cutting section replaceably, and when the connectingprocess information memorized in the non-volatile memory is informationexpressing being in a state of non-connecting operation and when theexchange information memorized in the non-volatile memory is informationexpressing being unexchanged, the controlling section may control thecutting plate conveying section to convey the cutting plate to thecutting section. At this time, the apparatus may further comprises acutting plate conveying section detecting sensor which detects thecutting plate conveying section, and the cutting plate conveying sectionis movable so as to convey the cutting plate to the cutting section, andwhen the cutting plate conveying section detecting sensor detects themoved cutting plate conveying section, the controlling section may drivethe non-volatile memory to memorize information expressing beingexchanged as the exchange information of the cutting plate. Theapparatus may further comprises: an engagement section which engages atleast a part of the holding section to prohibit the holding section fromopening movement out of the pressing state of the tubes; and a holdingsection lock sensor which detects an engagement state of the engagementsection against the holding section, and the cutting section has acutting plate which cuts the tubes, and the non-volatile memory iscapable of memorizing exchange information of the cutting plate, andwhen the connecting process information memorized in the non-volatilememory is information expressing being in a state of non-connectingoperation and when the holding section lock sensor detects the holdingsection engaged with the engagement section, the controlling section maydrive the non-volatile memory to memorize information expressing beingunexchanged as the exchange information of the cutting plate.

In the first aspect, when the engagement section is a self-holding typesolenoid into which a permanent magnet and a plunger are accommodated,even if power supply is interrupted during connecting operation of thetubes, since touching to the cutting section by an operator isprohibited because the engagement section is self-held to keep a stateof prohibiting the holding section from opening operation out of apressing state of the tubes, safety can be secured.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a second aspect of thepresent invention is directed to a tube connecting apparatus,comprising: a holding section which holds at least two flexible tubes topress them to a flat state; a cutting section which cuts the tubes heldin a flat state by the holding section; an electrode section forsupplying electric power for heating to the cutting section; a cuttingsection movement unit which moves the cutting section between a tubecutting position and a tube non-cutting position; a holding sectionmovement unit which moves the holding section to change relativelypositions of the cut tubes such that end portions to be connectedcontact closely each other; a controlling section which controls powersupply to the electrode section as well as movement of the cuttingsection movement unit and the holding section movement unit; and adisplay section for displaying information, wherein the controllingsection has a non-volatile memory which memorizes connecting processinformation expressing a state of connecting process of the tubes, andwhen the apparatus operates again after a halt, the controlling sectionjudges necessity of reset operation in accordance with the connectingprocess information memorized in the non-volatile memory, and when thecontrolling section judges that the reset operation is necessary, thecontrolling section controls the display section to display errorindication. According to the second aspect, since the controllingsection, when the apparatus operates again after a halt, judgesnecessity of reset operation in accordance with the connecting processinformation memorized in the non-volatile memory, and controls the powersupply to the electrode section as well as the movement of the cuttingsection movement unit and the holding section movement unit in a casethat reset operation is necessary, self reset operation becomespracticable without giving damage to the tube connecting apparatus, andsince the controlling section controls the display section to displayerror indication, the apparatus can draw an operator's attention to thetubes to be connected. In the second aspect, the apparatus may furthercomprises an engagement section which engages at least a part of theholding section to prohibit the holding section from opening movementout of the pressing state of the tubes, and when the connecting processinformation memorized in the non-volatile memory is informationexpressing being in a state of connecting operation, the controllingsection may judge that the reset operation is necessary and controlreset power supply to the electrode section as well as reset operationof the cutting section movement unit, the holding section movement unitand the engagement section.

Effects of the Invention

According to the present invention, since the controlling section, whenthe apparatus operates again after a halt, judges necessity of resetoperation in accordance with detecting information of the cuttingsection detected by the cutting section detecting sensor or inaccordance with the connecting process information memorized in thenon-volatile memory, effects that self reset operation becomespracticable without giving damage to the tube connecting apparatus canbe obtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a tube connecting apparatus inan embodiment to which the present invention is applicable;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing clamps of the tube connectingapparatus;

FIG. 3 is a partially broken plan view of the tube connecting apparatus;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of a wafer holder;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of a drive-conveying mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a revolving plate fitted to a drivingshaft and transmission type sensors;

FIG. 7 is a right side view showing a state that a second clamp isopened;

FIG. 8 is a right side view showing a state that the second clamp isclosed and a wafer is located at a non-cutting position;

FIG. 9 is a right side view showing a state that the second clamp isclosed and the wafer is located at a cutting position;

FIG. 10 is a left side view showing a state that a first clamp isopened;

FIG. 11 is a left side view showing a state that the first clamp isclosed and the wafer is located at the non-cutting position;

FIG. 12 is a left side view showing a state that the first clamp isclosed and the wafer is located at the cutting position;

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of a controlling section and eachsection of a control system;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a tube connecting routine executed by a CPU ofthe controlling section;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a power-on subroutine showing details of step600 in the tube connecting routine;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a resetting subroutine showing details of step610 in the power-on subroutine;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of an initial setting subroutine showing detailsof step 650 in the power-on subroutine;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a wafer exchanging subroutine showing detailsof step 700 in the tube connecting routine;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a tube connecting subroutine showing detailsof step 800 in the tube connecting routine;

FIG. 20 is an explanatory drawing showing operation 1 of main sectionsof the tube connecting apparatus and a front view illustratively showinga state that covering bodies of the first clamp and the second clampbegin to be closed;

FIG. 21 is a front view illustratively showing operations for the mainsections of the tube connecting apparatus, FIG. 21(A) showing operation2 thereof and FIG. 21(B) showing operation 3 thereof;

FIG. 22 is a front view illustratively showing operations for the mainsections of the tube connecting apparatus, FIG. 22(A) showing operation4 thereof, FIG. 22(B) showing operation 5 thereof and FIG. 22(C) showingoperation 6 thereof;

FIG. 23 is a side view showing evacuation movement of a tube-pushingmember, FIG. 23 (A) showing a state just before a tip portion of thetube-pushing member presses tubes to a flat state, FIG. 23 (B) showing astate that the tip portion of the tube-pushing member presses the tubesto a flat state, and FIG. 23(C) showing a state that a wafer cuts thetubes held in a flat state;

FIG. 24 is a side view showing a state of evacuating the wafer from acutting position by descending a holding member which holds the wafer;

FIG. 25 is an enlarged plan view showing around a cum which regulatesmovement of the second clamp, FIG. 25(A) showing an initial state, FIG.25(B) showing a finished state of connecting operation, FIG. 25(C)showing a state that a notched portion faces the bearing and FIG. 25(D)showing a state that the second clamp is moved to an evacuated position;

FIG. 26 is a side view of a cam which regulates movement of the firstclamp and a cam which regulates movement of the wafer holder, FIG. 26(A)showing an initial state, FIG. 26(B) showing a cutting state, and FIG.26(C) showing a state that cutting is finished or connecting is started;and

FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing operation of the main sections ofthe tube connecting apparatus in the tube connecting process;

With reference to embodiments below, the present invention will becomemore apparent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the drawings, embodiments of a tube connectingapparatus that cuts and then connects two tubes in which blood iscontained and sealed and that the present invention is applied to willbe explained.

(Structure)

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a tube connecting apparatus 1 of the presentembodiment is equipped with a first clamp 6 and a second clamp 7 servingas a holding section both of which hold two flexible tubes 8, 9approximately in a parallel state, and a tube-pushing member 10 which isdisposed between the first clamp 6 and second clamp 7 and adjacent tothe first clamp 6 to press the tubes to a flat state. The tubeconnecting apparatus 1 is accommodated in a casing such that protrudedmembers as shown in FIG. 1 are hidden. (See FIG. 3.)

The first clamp 6 has a first upper jaw portion 50 which forms an upperjaw of the first clamp 6 to press the tubes 8, 9 to a flat state, and afirst lower jaw portion 70 which forms a lower jaw of the first clamp 6to support the tubes 8, 9 pressed to a flat state by the first upper jawportion 50. On the other hand, the second clamp 7 has a second upper jawportion 60 which forms an upper jaw of the second clamp 7 to press thetubes 8, 9 to a flat state, and a second lower jaw portion 80 whichforms a lower jaw of the second clamp 7 to support the tubes 8, 9pressed to a flat state by the second upper jaw portion 60.

The tubes 8, 9 are made of soft resin such as, for example, softpolyvinyl chloride or the like and have flexibility, in which blood iscontained and sealed. These tubes 8, 9 have approximately the same shapewith respect to an inner diameter, an outer diameter and a length in astate before blood is contained and sealed. The first clamp 6 has aholder 21 for holding the tubes 8, 9, and a covering body 24 which isfitted pivotably to a rear end portion of the holder 21 through a hinge25 for opening and closing.

A pair of grooves 22, 23 which are parallel with each other and intowhich the two tubes 8, 9 are put are formed in the holder 21. Across-section of the grooves 22, 23 is shaped as a letter U. It ispreferable that a width of the grooves 22, 23 is set to have the same ora smaller width as/than a diameter of the tubes 8, 9 in an in artificialstate. An operator pushes the tubes 8, 9 into inner sides thereof(downward direction in FIG. 2) to put the tubes 8, 9 into the grooves22, 23. The covering body 24, in a closed state, covers the grooves 22,23 and has a function for fixing the tubes 8, 9 such that the tubes areput inside the grooves 22, 23 so as not to get rid of the grooves.

The first clamp 6 has an engagement mechanism 26 for retaining thecovering body 24 in a closed state. The engagement mechanism 26 isconstituted by a plate piece 28 which is fixed pivotably to a tip of thecovering body 24 through a hinge 27, a pawl member 29 which is formed toprotrude toward an inner face of the plate piece 28, and an engagementroller 20 which is provided pivotably at a front end of the holder 21.Accordingly, by pivoting the plate piece 28 in a direction of an arrow Fin FIG. 2 to engage the pawl member 29 with the engagement roller 20 ina state that the covering body 24 is closed. Further, a shaft 19 whichprotrudes toward a side of the second clamp 7 from an end face of theplate piece 28 is fitted to the plate piece 28.

The tube-pushing member 10 is connected with the first clamp 6 at a sideof the second clamp 7. The first clamp 6 has a saw-shaped pressureclosing member 61 which is fixed to a side face of the holder 21, and asaw-shaped pressure closing member 62 which is fixed to a side face ofthe covering body 24 and which bites the pressure closing member 61 eachother. The pressure closing member 61 has inclined faces 63, 64 atpositions corresponding to the grooves 22, 23 respectively, whileinclined faces 65, 66, which are parallel to the inclined faces 63, 64respectively and which are disposed at positions having a predetermineddistance from the inclined faces 63, 64, are formed at the pressureclosing member 62. (See FIG. 24.) Accordingly, when the covering body 24is closed in a state that the tubes 8, 9 are put in the grooves 22, 23,the tube 8 is pressed by the inclined faces 63, 65 and the tube 9 ispressed by the inclined faces 64, 66 since the pressure closing members61, 62 bite each other. According to the structure of the first clamp 6,dislocation (offset) or deformation of the tubes 8, 9 is restrained andeasy and proper connection is secured when cut faces of the tubes 8, 9are connected with each other, which will be stated later.

On the other hand, the second clamp 7 is disposed at a side of the firstclamp 6 and adjacent to the first clamp 6 via the tube-pushing member10. The second clamp 7, in the same manner as the first clamp 6, has aholder 31 at which a pair of grooves 32, 33 are formed and which holdsthe tubes 8, 9, a covering body 34 which pivots to the holder 31 foropening and closing, and an engagement mechanism 36. A structure thereofcorresponds to the first clamp 6: the engagement mechanism 36 has ahinge 37, a plate piece 38 and a pawl member 39 having a tip portion39A; and the holder 31 has a hinge 35 and an engagement roller 30.Incidentally, a long hole 40 into which the shaft 19 can be inserted isformed at an end face of the plate piece 38 facing a side of the firstclamp 6. The long hole 40 has a function for allowing the shaft 19 tomove when the first clamp 6 moves in tube connecting operation as statedlater.

The second clamp 7 is constituted to have a saw-shaped pressure closingmember 71 (unillustrated) which is fixed to a side face of the holder 31and at a side of the holder 21, and a saw-shaped pressure closing member72 which is fixed to a side face of the covering body 34 and at a sideof the covering body 24 and which bites the pressure closing member 71each other. The pressure closing member 71 has inclined faces 73, 74 atpositions corresponding to the grooves 32, 33, respectively (See FIG.24.) Inclined faces 75, 76, which are parallel to the inclined faces 73,74 respectively and which are disposed at positions having apredetermined distance from the inclined faces 73, 74, are formed at thepressure closing member 72.

The first clamp 6 and the second clamp 7 are usually located such thatthe grooves 22, 32 correspond to (align) the grooves 23, 33 respectivelyeach other.

The tube-pushing member 10 is disposed movably and integrally with thefirst clamp 6. Further, the tube-pushing member 10 has a saw-shaped tipportion 12 (corresponding to the pressure closing members 62, 72) atwhich inclined faces 15, 16 are formed in the same manner as the firstclamp 6 and the second clamp 7. However, it differs from the first clamp6 and the second clamp 7 in that it does not have the pressure closingmembers 61, 71 which bite each other via the tubes 8, 9. Furthermore,the tip portion 12 of the tube-pushing member 10 is placed at a positionprotruded a little more than a position of the pressure closing member62 of the first clamp 6, although the tip portion 12 has the same sawshape as the pressure closing member 62 of the first clamp 6 and thepressure closing member 72 of the second clamp 7.

A supporting member 11 having a L shaped cross section is fixed to thetube-pushing member 10 by screws. The supporting member 11 has asupporting member projection portion 14 which projects downward. Anunillustrated U shaped slider is provided at the supporting member 11.This slider is allowed to move along an unillustrated rail. Theunillustrated rail is fixed to a rail supporting member (unillustrated)and the rail supporting member is fixed to the covering body 24 byscrews. For this reason, the tube-pushing member 10 is integrated withthe first clamp 6 and can move relatively to the first clamp 6.Incidentally, since the tip portion 12 of the tube-pushing member 10 isprotruded more than the pressure closing member 62 of the first clamp 6,the tip portion 12 pushes the tubes 8, 9 prior to the first clamp 6 whenthe covering body 24 is closed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the tube connecting apparatus 1 is equippedwith a wafer feeding mechanism 100 (a cutting plate conveying section)which feeds the wafer serving as a cutting plate.

A fitting member 94 is set up at the casing of the tube connectingapparatus 1 and a wafer feeding motor 110 which is made of a pulse motorcapable of normal and reverse rotation is fixed by screws to the fittingmember 94. A gear 112 is fixed to an output shaft 111 of the waferfeeding motor 110, and a timing belt 113 is entrained between the gear112 and a gear 114. The gear 114 is disposed at an axis of a ball screw116 on which a wafer feeding member 115 that feeds the wafer 41 capableof cutting the tubes 8, 9 one by one is provided and that is called as ashuttle. An unillustrated nut which engages the ball screw 116 isprovided at an interior of the wafer feeding member 115. The waferfeeding member 115 moves along the ball screw 116 due to rotation of theball screw 116 in accordance with rotation of the gear 114 of whichdriving source is the wafer feeding motor 110. One side of the waferfeeding member 115 is supported by a rod-shaped shaft 117 to stabilizeposture (movement) of the wafer feeding member 115 at the time offeeding the wafer. A feeding piece 118 which feeds the wafer 41accommodated in a wafer cassette 120 which accommodates a plurality ofwafers 41 (70 pieces in this embodiment) one by one from the wafercassette 120 in accordance with movement of the wafer feeding member 115is fixed at an end portion of the wafer feeding member 115. A wafercassette detecting sensor 121 for detecting that the wafer cassette 120is mounted is fixed at one side of the wafer cassette 120.

Unillustrated compression springs are disposed at an interior of thewafer cassette 120 so as to energize the wafers 41. When the wafer 41 isfed by the feeding piece 118 of the wafer feeding member 115, anadjacent wafer faces a side of the wafer feeding member 115 one afteranother, which allows the feeding piece 118 to feed the wafer 41continuously. Incidentally, the wafer feeding member 115 can move in adirection opposite to a direction of feeding the wafer 41 according toreverse rotation of the wafer feeding motor 110.

The wafer 41 is a self-heating typed heat cutting plate. For example, asheet of a metal plate such as a copper plate or the like is folded intotwo, and a resistance body having a desired pattern for heating isformed inside the folded metal plate via insulating layers tomanufacture the wafer. The wafer 41 has a structure that terminals 44,45 (See FIG. 2.) disposed at both ends of the resistance body areexposed at apertures formed at each end portion of the metal plate.

Further, a revolving plate 130 which is adjacent to the gear 112 andwhich has a plurality of slits and which rotates according to rotationof the wafer feeding motor 110 is fixed to an end portion of the outputshaft 111 of the wafer feeding motor 110. The revolving plate 130 isprovided to detect a moving amount of the wafer feeding member 115. Atthe vicinity of the revolving plate 130, a transmission type sensor 131which detects a revolving amount of the revolving plate 130 is fixed byscrews to the fitting member 94 at an opposite side of the gear 114 soas to stride the revolving plate 130.

A transmission type sensor 132 which detects the wafer feeding member115 located at a feeding start position of the wafer 41 and which servesas a cutting plate conveying section detecting sensor, and atransmission type sensor 133 which detects the wafer feeding member 115located at a feeding end position of the wafer 41 which serves as acutting plate conveying section detecting sensor are disposed separatelywith a predetermined interval at an opposite side of the wafer cassette120 via the ball screw 116. A piece to be detected 119 having anapproximately L shape is fixed to the wafer feeding member 115 at anopposite side of the feeding piece 118. Incidentally, detection of themoving amount of the wafer feeding member 115 according to the abovestated revolving plate 130 and the transmission type sensor 131 iscarried out at an interval between both positions of the transmissiontype sensors 132, 133.

The wafer 41 fed by the wafer feeding member 115 is located to adownstream side of a wafer conveying path from the wafer cassette 120,then located inside the wafer holder 140 which holds the wafer 41. Asshown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, a structure that two pieces of thewafer 41 are held in the wafer holder 140 such that end faces thereofcontact each other is employed, and the wafer 41 is supplied in a mannerthat a wafer 41 a fed formerly from the wafer cassette 120 is pushed andmoved on a conveying path 105 in the wafer holder 140 by a wafer 41 bfed newly from the wafer cassette 120. In other words, the wafer 41 bpushes and advances the wafer 41 a forward, and the wafer 41 a islocated at a position for cutting the tubes 8, 9 in the wafer holder140.

The terminals 44, 45 for the wafer 41 a which is located at a forwardside in the wafer holder 140 are supplied with electric power forheating the wafer 41 a by projection-shaped electrode portions 145, 146from an unillustrated power unit via a harness of which illustration isomitted. The electrode portions 145, 146 are fixed integrally to thewafer holder 140 and are disposed so as to face via the wafer 41 to anend surface of one wall side (a back side in FIG. 4) of the wafer holder140. Incidentally, as stated later, because the wafer holder 140 movesup and down at the time of cutting the tubes 8, 9, the electrodeportions 145, 146 integrally fixed to the wafer holder 140 also have astructure capable of supplying electric power for heating to the wafer41.

The resistance body inside the wafer 41 generates heat according toelectricity supply from the electrode portions 145, 146, and the wafer41 is heated up to the temperature (ex. approximately 260 to 320 deg.C.) capable of melting and cutting the tubes 8, 9. Further, because itis preferable that the wafer 41 is disposable (for single use) at everyconnecting operation of the tubes, the wafer feeding mechanism 100 has astructure capable of exchanging the wafer 41 held in the wafer holder140 every time the tubes 8, 9 are connected.

The wafer holder 140 is heated by a heater 144 which is fitted to apivot-supporting plate 184 which will be stated later. (See FIG. 3.)While electric power is supplied to the heater 144 from theunillustrated power unit, the wafer holder 140 always keeps a heatedstate during a period that electric power is supplied to the tubeconnecting apparatus 1. A holder temperature sensor 508 (See FIG. 13.)such as a thermistor or the like which detects a temperature of thewafer holder 140 is fixed to the wafer holder 140, and the wafer holder140 is controlled to keep a predetermined temperature (70 deg. C. inthis embodiment).

Temperature controlling in this embodiment will be explained further.Since a surface of the wafer 41 is covered by the copper plate as statedabove, the wafer 41 is influenced by the temperature that the waferholder 140 has due to the material (copper) characteristics when it isinserted into the wafer holder 140 and it reaches the predeterminedtemperature immediately after it is inserted into the wafer holder 140.A controlling unit 190 as stated later forecasts that the wafer 41supplied electric power from the electrode portions 145, 146 reaches apredetermined temperature (ex. about 260 to 320 deg. C. as stated above)after a predetermined period of time from a time that the wafer 41 isinserted into the wafer holder 140 in order to shift to tube-cuttingoperation according to the wafer 41 (ascending movement of the waferholder 140).

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the tube connecting apparatus 1 is equippedwith a drive-conveying mechanism 200 which moves the first clamp 6 andthe second clamp 7 and which functions as a holding section movementunit, and which moves the wafer holder 140 (up and down) and whichfunctions as a cutting section movement unit.

A cam motor 150 which is a driving source of the drive-conveyingmechanism 200 and which is made of a pulse motor capable of normal andreverse rotation is fitted by screws to an unillustrated motor fittingmember which is fixed to the casing of the tube connecting apparatus 1at a side of the wafer holder 140 and at a downstream side of the waferfeeding member 115. A gear 152 is fixed to an output shaft 151 of thecam motor 150 and the gear 152 bites a gear 153 each other. A gear 154is fixed on a coaxial line of the gear 153 and this gear 154 bites agear 155 each other. A driving shaft 156 which rotates together with thegear 155 according to driving force conveyed to the gear 155 is providedat a center of rotation for the gear 155. A cam 157 which regulatesmovement of the first clamp 6, a cam 158 which regulates movement of thesecond clamp 7 and a cam 159 which regulates movement of the waferholder 140 are respectively fixed on the driving shaft 156. Accordingly,driving force from the cam motor 150 is conveyed to the driving shaft156 and the cams 157, 158 and 159 are driven to rotate respectively.

A groove 161 is formed at an interior of the cam 157, and a bearing 162which engages an edge face of the groove 161 is connected via a fittingmember 163 to a supporting table 164 (See FIG. 1.) which supports thefirst clamp 6 in a fixed state. For this reason, the bearing 162 slidesalong the edge face of the groove 161 formed at the interior of the cam157 to enable the first clamp 6 to move in a predetermined direction (adirection of an arrow A in FIG. 3). Incidentally, a liner guide 165which guides the supporting table 164 (the first clamp 6) so as to movestably is disposed at a bottom portion of the supporting table 164 in acontact state. Further, a compression spring 166 is bridged at one endof the supporting table 164 so as to energize this supporting table 164to a predetermined direction.

On the other hand, a bearing 172 which engages a surface of the cam 158is connected via a fitting member 173 to a supporting table 174 whichsupports the second clamp 7 in a fixed state. For this reason, accordingto rotation of the cam 158, the bearing 172 slides along the surface ofthe cam 158 to enable the second clamp 7 to move in a predetermineddirection (a direction of an arrow B in FIG. 3). Incidentally, in thisembodiment, the bearing 172 is constituted to not only engage a sideface of the cam 158 but also engage a surface of a flange portion 177which is integrally formed with the cam 159 which regulates the movementof the wafer holder 140. In short, the bearing 172 is located betweenthe side face of the cam 158 and the flange portion 177 so that thebearing 172 has a structure capable of engaging and sliding on both ofthem, and the flange portion 177 is included in a part of a function ofthe cam 158 which regulates the movement of the second clamp 7. Anotched portion 178 (See FIGS. 25(C) and (D).) is formed at a part ofthe cam 158 as stated later. Incidentally, a liner guide 175 whichguides the supporting table 174 (the second clamp 7) so as to movestably is disposed at a bottom portion of the supporting table 174 in acontact state. Further, a compression spring 176 is bridged at one endof the supporting table 174 so as to energize this supporting table 174to a predetermined direction.

Further, a bearing 182 (See FIG. 4.) is fitted via a fitting member 183to a bottom portion of the wafer holder 140. Because the bearing 182slides along a surface shape of the cam 159 according to rotation of thecam 159, the wafer holder 140 is constituted so as to move in apredetermined direction (a vertical direction). In other words, bypivoting integrally with and around a shaft axis 187 which penetrates ahole 186 formed at a protruded portion 185 of the pivot-supporting plate184 which is fitted to the wafer holder 140, the wafer holder 140 isstructured so as to be able to swing in a vertical direction. A slantedprojection portion 148 which has a metal roller 147 at its tip isintegrally formed with an upper side of the wafer holder 140 (See FIG.4.), and the roller 147 is brought to contact the supporting memberprojection portion 14 (See FIG. 2.). Due to a change in the surfaceshape of the cam 159, when the wafer holder 140 ascends (swings) at apredetermined timing, the tube-pushing member 10 (See FIG. 2.) is pushedupward. Thus, the projection portion 148 has a function for guiding thetube-pushing member 10 to the evacuating position.

Further, a revolving plate 197 at which a notch 198 is formed is fixedto the driving shaft 156 between the cam 157 and the gear 155. (See FIG.6.) Transmission type sensors 195, 196, each serving as a positiondetecting sensor, are disposed adjacent to the revolving plate 197 so asto stride the revolving plate 197. By utilizing the notch 198 formed atthe revolving plate 197, position detection for the first clamp 6 andthe second clamp 7 is carried out by the transmission type sensors 195and 196. Namely, while the revolving plate 197 rotates in apredetermined direction according to rotation of the driving shaft 156,when light from the transmission type sensor 195 transmits the notch 198(See FIG. 6(A).), the first clamp 6 and the second clamp 7 are definedat their initial positions. Namely, the transmission type sensor 195 isused as a sensor for detecting the initial positions of the first clamp6 and the second clamp 7. Further, the transmission type sensor 196 isused as a sensor for detecting that connection operation of the tubes 8,9 is finished, and the notched portion 198 is located at a positionfacing the transmission type sensor 196 when connecting operation isfinished. (See FIG. 6(B).)

As shown in FIG. 3, a guide 141 which guides (constitutes the conveyingpath for) a used wafer 41 and a waste box 142 which accommodates theused wafer(s) 41 are disposed at a downstream side of the wafer holder140. The wafer 41 located at a position at which it can cut the tubes iswasted (accommodated) to the waste box 142 after cutting and connectingoperation of the tubes 8, 9 is carried out. This wasting operation isalso carried out by pushing the end faces of the wafers 41 each other asstated above. The wasted wafer 41 is guided along the guide 141 and thendropped into the waste box 142 to accommodate it. A transmission typewafer full state sensor 143 at which a light emitting element and alight receiving element are disposed separately and which detects a fullstate of the used wafers 41 wasted and accommodated in the waste box 142is disposed at a side of the waste box 142 and at a position having apredetermined height from a bottom of the waste box 142.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, a clamp lock solenoid 400, which serves as anengagement section and which locks the covering body 34 so as not toopen by engaging the tip portion 39A of the pawl member 39 in the secondclamp 7 with the engagement roller 30 (which prohibits the tubes 8, 9from release movement out of a pressing state), is disposed at a sideopposing to the second lower jaw portion 80 of the second clamp 7located at a right side of the tube connecting apparatus 1 and isdisposed at a downward of the engagement roller 30. For this reason,difficulties in cutting and connecting of the tubes are prevented sincethe covering body 34 is prevented from being opened unexpectedly duringconnecting of the tubes, and accordingly fixing (holding) to the tubes8, 9 as well as pressing according to the second clamp 7 are notcanceled. Incidentally, since the shaft 19 of the first clamp 6 isinserted into the long hole 40 of the second clamp 7 such that the firstclamp 6 and the second clamp 7 are constituted to move integrally in alinking manner, a locking function due to the clamp lock solenoid 400acts not only on the second clamp 7 but also on the first clamp 6.

A general self-holding type solenoid is used for the clamp lock solenoid400. Namely, the clamp lock solenoid 400 has an electromagnet 402 havingan unillustrated coil and a permanent magnet 403 in a fixed frame 401. Aplunger 404, which is movable in a direction of projecting out of theframe 401 so as to stop the pawl member 39 in a locking state (a stateof projecting upward as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9) and in a direction ofgoing back to the frame 401 so as to release the pawl member 39 from thelocking state to allow the covering body 34 to open (a state of pullingdownward as shown in FIG. 7), is inserted into the electromagnet 402 andthe permanent magnet 403. An expanded diameter portion 405 whosediameter is expanded larger is formed at a tip portion of the plunger404 (an upper side shown in FIGS. 7 to 9). When the unillustrated coilof the electromagnet 402 is charged with electricity (When the solenoidis magnetized), the expanded diameter portion 405 projecting out of theframe 401 engages (abuts against) the pawl member 39 such that openingmovement of the pawl member 39 is prohibited. (See FIGS. 8, 9.)

Further, even if electricity to the unillustrated coil is stopped (thesolenoid is demagnetized) in a state that the plunger 404 projects(moves up) out of the frame 401, the expanded diameter portion 405 iskept located at a projecting position because the permanent magnet 403holds the plunger 404. Incidentally, as stated later, when power supplyto the tube connecting apparatus 1 is cut off during connecting of thetubes 8, 9, the expanded diameter portion 405 maintains its projectingstate because a position of the plunger 404 is retained by an effect ofthe permanent magnet 403.

Furthermore, another coil (unillustrated) other than the aboveunillustrated coil is mounted on the electromagnet 402. The plunger 404moves in a direction of going back to the frame 401 by charging thisanother coil with electricity (magnetizing the solenoid). Charging ofanother coil is stopped just after the plunger 404 moved. (The same istrue to that the plunger moves in a direction of projecting out of theframe 401.) Energized force due to a compression spring 407 wound arounda cover 406 which covers a side of another end of the plunger 404(downward of FIGS. 7 to 9) maintains a pulled state in which theexpanded diameter portion 405 of the plunger 404 is close to the frame401.

A lever member 408 is fixed to the cover 406, and the lever member 408moves integrally with the plunger 404. An end portion 409 of the levermember 408 has a function as a shield plate which shields a light pathof a fixed, transmission typed, clamp lock detecting sensor 410 (aholding section lock sensor). Namely, as shown in FIG. 7, in a pulledstate that the expanded diameter portion 405 of the plunger 404 is closeto the frame 401, in which the pawl member 39 is allowed to release foropening from a locking state, since a light path is shielded by the endportion 409 of the lever member 408, the clamp lock detecting sensor 410detects a state that clamp lock is canceled (a state that the pawlmember 39 is releasable from a locking state due to the engagementroller 30). On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in aprojecting state that the expanded diameter portion 405 of the plunger404 projects out of the frame 401, in which the pawl member 39 isengaged in a locking state, since the end portion 409 of the levermember 408 does not shield a light path to allow a sensor light totransmit, the clamp lock detecting sensor 410 detects a locking state (astate that the pawl member 39 is locked by engaging with the engagementroller 30 to prohibit being released).

A clamp opening/closing detecting section 300, which detects anopened/closed state of the second clamp 7, namely, which detects whetherthe second clamp 7 is in a locking state or the second clamp 7 is in anopened state by canceling the locking state, is provided at an undersideof the second lower jaw portion 80 and at a side of the clamp locksolenoid 400. Incidentally, when the second clamp 7 is in a lockingstate in which the pawl member 39 engages the engagement roller 30, thetip portion 39A of the pawl member 39 pushes one end side 302 of thelever member 301 in the clamp opening/closing detecting section 300 (astate shown in FIGS. 8 and 9).

A torsion coil spring 304 is provided at a pivot 303 of the lever member301. The one end side 302 of the lever member 301 is energized by aneffect of this spring 304 to move in a direction opposite to a pushingdirection of the tip portion 39A of the pawl member 39. Another end side305 of the lever member 301 has a function as a shield plate whichshields a light path of a fixed, transmission typed, clampopening/closing sensor 306. At a time of opening of the clamp as shownin FIG. 7, the another end side 305 of the lever member 301 shields alight path of the clamp opening/closing sensor 306, so that the clampopening/closing sensor 306 detects that the clamp is in an opened state(a state that the pawl member 39 is released from a locking state withthe engagement roller 30). On the other hand, at a time of closing ofthe clamp (a locking state) as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the another endside 305 of the lever member 301 does not shield a light path of theclamp opening/closing sensor 306 to allow a sensor light to transmit, sothat the clamp opening/closing sensor 306 detects that the clamp is in aclosed state (a locking state).

Further, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, a transmission type wafer positiondetecting sensor 421, which detects the wafer 41 and which serves as acutting section detecting sensor, is disposed at a downward of the firstclamp 6 located at a left side of the tube connecting apparatus 1, and ashield plate 420 provided integrally with the wafer holder 140 isdisposed at a side of the wafer holder 140 facing the first clamp 6 (adownward of the first clamp 6). When the wafer holder 140 pivots(descends) due to the drive-conveying mechanism 200 to move the wafer 41to a position (a cutting position) where the wafer 41 can cut the tubes8, 9, the shield plate 420 shields a light path of the wafer positiondetecting sensor 421, so that the wafer position detecting sensor 421detects that the wafer 41 (wafer holder 140) is in the cutting position(a state shown in FIG. 12).

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, when the wafer holder140 is not driven so as to pivot (descend) by the drive-conveyingmechanism 200, the wafer 41 is located at an initial position (anon-cutting position) where the wafer 41 can not cut the tubes 8, 9. Inthis state, the shield plate 420 does not shield a light path of thewafer position detecting sensor 421 to allow a sensor light to transmit,by a controlling unit 190 as stated later, the wafer 41 is judged to belocated at the initial position where the wafer 41 can not cut the tubes8, 9. In other words, the wafer position detecting sensor 421 detectsthat the wafer 41 (wafer holder 140) is in the downward initialposition.

Furthermore, the tube connecting apparatus 1 is equipped with acontrolling unit 190 for carrying out movement controlling of whole ofthe apparatus, a LCD display 192 for displaying a state of the apparatusto an operator and serving as a display section, a constant voltagepower supply unit which converts commercial AC power source to DC powersource which can drive/actuate actuators such as pulse motors and thelike as well as the controlling unit 190.

As shown in FIG. 13, the controlling unit 190 is constituted with a CPU191 which operates at a high clock speed as a central processing unit(See FIG. 3), a ROM in which controlling program and controlling datafor the tube connecting apparatus 1 are memorized, a RAM which works asa work area for the CPU 191 and an internal bus which connects these.

An external bus is connected to the controlling unit 190. A informationmemory section for memorizing a connecting process state of the tubes, aclamp section which detects an opening/closing state or a locking stateof the first clamp 6 and the second clamp 7 and which locks theseclamps, a switch inputting section including a connecting switch 193(See FIG. 3) that an operator instructs cutting and connecting operationto the tube connecting apparatus 1, a holder temperature controllingsection for keeping the wafer holder 140 at a constant temperature, afan motor controlling section which controls an unillustrated smokeemitting fan motor and an unillustrated cooling fan motor, a wafercassette/disposal controlling section having sensors or the like fordetecting existence or non-existence of the wafer 41 in the wafercassette 120 or for detecting a full state of the used wafers 41 in thewaste box 142, an operational environment monitoring section whichmonitors an environmental temperature (a room temperature) at which thetube connecting apparatus 1 is placed, a wafer constant powercontrolling section including a wafer current controlling section whichcontrols current flowing between the electrode portions 145, 146, awafer feeding controlling section which controls feeding operation ofthe wafers 41, a cam connecting operation controlling section having thewafer position detecting sensor 421 and a motor driver for driving a cammotor which rotates the driving shaft 156, and a message outputtingsection having a LCD driver 507 which controls operation or display ofthe LCD display 192 and the like are connected to the external bus.Incidentally, in FIG. 13, illustration for the external bus is omittedand a state that the controlling unit 190 and these sections aredirectly connected is shown.

The massage outputting section has the LCD display 192, the LCD driver507 which controls a backlight of the LCD display 192 and anunillustrated inputting operation section, a LED controlling section 502which turns on a red colored caution LED 503 for noticing maintenancetiming of the tube connecting apparatus 1, and a buzzer controllingsection 504 which actuates a buzzer 505 to give a warning sound when amaintenance day lapsed.

The information memory section has an EEPROM 500 serving as anon-volatile memory and a real time clock 501 which actuates under a 3Vpower source. In the EEPROM 500, information with respect to aconnecting process state of the tubes 8, 9 (information expressing beingin a state of connecting operation or information expressing being in astate of non-connecting operation), exchange information of the wafer 41(information expressing being exchanged or information expressing beingunexchanged), a date, which is arbitrarily set via an unillustratedinputting operation section connected to the LCD driver 507, for aperiodic check or maintenance such as part replacement or the like ofthe tube connecting apparatus 1, a predetermined number of accumulatedconnecting operations of the tubes 8, 9 (an accumulated number that thetube connecting apparatus 1 carried out connecting operation) and thelike are memorized.

The clamp section is constituted by equipping the above stated clampopening/closing sensor 306, the clamp lock detecting sensor 410 and aclamp lock solenoid controlling section 506 which controls actuation ofthe clamp lock solenoid 400. Further, the switch inputting section has,other than the above stated connecting switch 193, a reset switch 194for reset operation of the tube connecting apparatus 1 when power sourceis supplied to the tube connecting apparatus 1 again after power supplyis shut off during connecting operation of the tubes 8, 9, and dipswitches 0 to 7 for switching to test modes and the like in whichadjustment in assembling of the tube connecting apparatus 1 is carriedout.

(Operation)

Next, with respect to operation of the tube connecting apparatus 1 inthis embodiment, operation carried out by the CPU 191 in the controllingunit 190 will be explained. Incidentally, when electric power isinputted to the controlling unit 190 via an unillustrated switch, theCPU 191 reads out the controlling program and the controlling data fromthe ROM and develops them at the RAM, and then executes a tubeconnecting routine for cutting and connecting the tubes 8, 9 as shown inFIG. 14.

In this tube connecting routine, first, in step 600, the CPU 191 carriesout a power-on subroutine. As shown in FIG. 15, in the power-onsubroutine, in step 602, the CPU 191 reads out the information withrespect to a connecting process state (information expressing being in astate of connecting operation or non-connecting operation) memorized inthe EEPROM 500, then judges as to whether or not the information withrespect to a connecting process state is information expressing being ina state of connecting operation. When an affirmative judgment is made,the CPU 191 judges as to whether or not the clamp lock detecting sensor410 detects the locking state in the next step 604. When the judgment instep 604 is affirmative, the CPU 191 judges as to whether or not thewafer position detecting sensor 421 detects the wafer 41 located at thecutting position.

The CPU 191, when electric power is inputted, in accordance with thejudgment results in steps 602 to 606, judges correctly whether or notpower supply to the tube connecting apparatus 1 was shut (cut) offduring last connecting operation of the tubes 8, 9 (before electricpower is inputted). The CPU 191, as stated later, drives the EEPROM 500to memorize the latest process state of the tube connecting operation.(See steps 814 and 826 in FIG. 19.) In step 602, if information withrespect to the latest connecting process state read out from the EEPROM500 is being in a state of connecting operation, it is likely thatconnecting process was not finished because power supply was shut offduring last connecting operation. (If the connecting process wasfinished, the information with respect to the connecting process stateread out from the EEPROM 500 must be information expressing being in astate of non-connecting operation.) Further, in step 604, when the clamplock detecting sensor 410 detects the locking state, since the expandeddiameter portion 405 of the clamp lock solenoid 400 which is theself-holding type solenoid is in the state of prohibiting the pawlmember 39 from opening movement as stated above, it is likely that powersupply was shut off during last tube connecting operation. (If theconnecting process was finished, the clamp lock detecting sensor 410does not detect the locking state.) Furthermore, in step 606, when thewafer position detecting sensor 421 detects the wafer 41 located at thecutting position, since the wafer 41 was moved to the position that thewafer 41 can cut the tubes 8, 9 as stated above, it is likely that powersupply was shut off during last tube connecting operation. (If thecutting operation was finished, since the wafer 41 was located at thenon-cutting position, the wafer position detecting sensor 421 must notdetect the wafer 41.) Accordingly, in steps 602 to 606, the CPU 191judges correctly whether or not power supply to the tube connectingapparatus 1 was shut off during last connecting operation based upon aplurality of judgments.

An affirmative judgment is made in step 606, since the tube connectingapparatus 1 was in a state that power supply was shut off during lasttube connecting operation, in step 610, the CPU 191 executes a resettingsubroutine for resetting the tube connecting apparatus 1 to a normalstate such that the tube connecting apparatus 1 can carry out the tubeconnecting operation.

As shown in FIG. 16, in the resetting subroutine, first in step 612, theCPU 191 waits until the reset switch 194 is pushed (tuned on) by anoperator. When the reset switch 194 is pushed, the CPU 191 drives thewafer current controlling section to supply electricity to the wafer 41via the electrode portions 145, 146 in order to start heating of thewafer 41 in the next step 614, then in step 616, waits untilpredetermined heating time lapses. When the predetermined time lapses,in step 618, the CPU 191 drives the EEPROM 500 to memorize informationexpressing being in a state of tube connecting operation (e.g., “1”) asthe information with respect to a connecting process state.

Next in step 620, the CPU 191 drives the cam motor 150, then in step622, judges as to whether or not the transmission type sensor 196detects the notch 198. When a negative judgment is made, the CPU 191continues to drive the cam motor 150, while when an affirmative judgmentis made, the CPU 191 stops driving of the cam motor 150 in step 624.Then in step 626, the CPU 191 makes the EEPROM 500 to renew theinformation with respect to a connecting process state from theinformation expressing being in a state of tube connecting operation toinformation expressing being in a state of tube non-connecting operation(e.g., “0”)), subsequently in step 628, makes the wafer currentcontrolling section to stop electricity supply to the wafer 41 in orderto stop heating of the wafer 41.

In the next step 630, the CPU 191 waits until predetermined time(cooling time) that the wafer 41 is cooled down lapses. When the coolingtime lapses, the CPU 191 drives the clamp lock solenoid 400 to cancelthe locking state (makes the plunger 404 in the pulled state). As statedabove, in steps 614 to 612, the CPU 191 heats the wafer 41 again andfuses the tubes 8, 9 adhered to the wafer 41 in order to finishconnecting of the tubes 8, 9. However, because connecting strength andsterilized connecting of the tubes 8, 9 are not secured, in the next634, the CPU 191 makes the LCD display 192 to display error indicationvia the LCD driver 507 and drives the buzzer controlling section 504 tomake the buzzer 505 to give a sound in order to draw operator'sattention. Next in step 636, the CPU 191 carries out various otherinitial settings, then the resetting subroutine and the power-onsubroutine are finished to proceed to step 700 in FIG. 14.

On the other hand, a negative judgment is made in step 602, 604 or 606in FIG. 15, then in step 650, the CPU 191 executes an initial settingsubroutine for executing initial setting in a normal state. As shown inFIG. 17, in the initial setting subroutine, the CPU 191 reads out thepredetermined connecting number that maintenance becomes necessary fromthe EEPROM 500 in step 652, and reads out the accumulated connectingnumber memorized in the EEPROM 500 last time (See step 834.) in step654. Then in step 656, the CPU 191 compares the connecting number formaintenance with the accumulated connecting number to make adetermination as to whether or not the accumulated connecting numberexceeds the connecting number for maintenance. When a negativedetermination is made, the subroutine proceeds to step 668, while whenan affirmative determination is made, the CPU 191 makes the LCD display192 to display a remaining connecting number that maintenance becomesnecessary in the next step 658.

Next, in step 660, the CPU 191 reads out the date for maintenancememorized in the EEPROM 500 in advance, then in step 662, reads out thepresent date from the real time clock 501 to make a determination instep 664 as to whether or not the present date lapsed the date formaintenance. When an affirmative determination is made, the subroutineproceeds to step 668, while when a negative determination is made, theCPU 191 makes the LCD display 192 to display the date for maintenance inthe next step 666 to proceed to step 670.

In step 668, because the accumulated connecting number exceeds theconnecting number for maintenance or the date for maintenance lapsed,the CPU 191 makes the LCD display 192 to display a warning thatmaintenance is necessary and controls the LCD controlling section 502 tolight on or light on and off the red colored warning LED 503.

In step 670, the CPU 191 makes the LCD display 192 to display othermessages such as a reference time that the tube connecting apparatus 1can start operation and the like, then in the next step 672, judges asto whether or not the clamp lock detecting sensor 410 detects thelocking state of the clamp lock solenoid 400. When a negative judgmentis made, the subroutine advances to step 676. When an affirmativejudgment is made, the CPU 191 cancels the locking state of the clamplock solenoid 400 in step 674. In step 676, the CPU 191 carries outvarious other initial settings, then the initial setting subroutine andthe power-on subroutine are finished to proceed to step 700 in FIG. 14.

In step 700, a wafer exchanging subroutine for exchanging the wafers 41is carried out. As shown in FIG. 18, in the wafer exchanging subroutine,the CPU 191 judges as to whether or not the wafer cassette detectingsensor 121 detects the wafer cassette 120. When a negative judgment ismade, the CPU 191 waits until the wafer cassette 120 is mounted, whilewhen an affirmative judgment is made, the CPU 191 judges in the nextstep 704 as to whether or not the wafer full state sensor 143 of a lightreceiving side detects a state in which transmission is shut off (astate that the wafers 41 disposed of (accommodated) to the waste box 142are full). When an affirmative judgment is made, the subroutine returnsto step 702, while when a negative judgment is made, the CPU 191 waitsuntil the reset switch 194 is pushed in the next 706. Incidentally, inthis embodiment, before waiting in steps 702 to 706, the CPU 191 makesthe LCD display 192 to display that the wafer cassette 120 is notmounted, that the waste box 142 is full, and that the reset switch 194be pushed, respectively, which is not shown in FIG. 18.

When a judgment that the reset switch 194 is pushed is made in step 706,the CPU 191 judges in the next step 708 as to whether or not thetransmission type sensor 195 detects the notch 198, namely, whether ornot the cam 157 or the like is in the initial position. When anaffirmative judgment is made, the subroutine proceeds to step 716, whilewhen a negative judgment is made, the CPU 191 makes the cam motor 150 tostart to rotate in step 710. The CPU 191 continues to make the cam motor150 to rotate until the transmission type sensor 195 detects the notch198 in step 712, and when the transmission type sensor 195 detects thenotch 198, the CPU 191 stops rotation of the cam motor 150 in step 714.

Next, in step 716, the CPU 191 reads out the exchange information of thewafer 41 from the EEPROM 500 and judges as to whether or not theexchange information of the wafer 41 is the information expressing beingexchanged (e.g., “1”). When an affirmative judgment is made, the waferexchanging subroutine is finished to proceed to step 800 in FIG. 14.When a negative judgment is made, the CPU 191 drives the wafer feedingmotor 110 to carry out exchange of the wafers 41 in step 718.

The exchange of the wafers 41 carried out in step 718 will be explainedin detail. As stated above, the wafer feeding member 115 which is movedby rotation driving of the wafer feeding motor 110 moves reciprocallybetween the wafer feeding start position and the wafer feeding endposition according to normal and reverse rotation of the wafer feedingmotor 110. At this time, the CPU 191 detects a position of the waferfeeding member 115 located between the wafer feeding start position andthe wafer feeding end position at a time of normal rotation of the waferfeeding motor 110 with the transmission type sensor 131 one pulse by onepulse in accordance with the revolving amount of the revolving plate 130which is linked directly with the rotation of the wafer feeding motor110. Namely, by detecting the piece to be detected 119 of the waferfeeding member 115 which is located at the wafer feeding start positionwith the transmission type sensor 132, and based on the wafer feedingstart position, by detecting the moving amount of the wafer feedingmember 115 through the revolving amount of the revolving plate 130 withthe transmission type sensor 131, the CPU 191 grasps as to where thewafer feeding member 115 is located.

The CPU 191 judges as to whether or not the wafer feeding member 115moves more than a predetermined amount (30mm in this embodiment, See thewafer feeding member 115 shown by a two dotted line in FIG. 25.) fromthe wafer feeding start position to a direction of the wafer feeding endposition. When a negative judgment is made, the CPU 191 continues tograsp the position of the wafer feeding member 115. Incidentally, inthis embodiment, the moving amount of the wafer feeding member 115 forfeeding the wafer 41 is set to approximately 55 mm.

When an affirmative judgment is made, the CPU 191 judges as to whetheror not a difference between a predetermined number of pulses and anactually detected number of pulses, which is not less than predeterminedpulses (ex. 20 pulses), occurred, namely, the CPU 191 judges as towhether or not the actually detected number of pulses was less than 20pulses to the predetermined number of pulses. When an affirmativejudgment is made, the CPU 191 determines that feeding malfunction of thewafer 41 occurred and waits until the reset switch 194 is pushed. When anegative judgment is made, the CPU 191 determines that normal feedingwas made.

When feeding malfunction of the wafer 41 is determined, the CPU 191stops driving of the wafer feeding motor 110 and makes the LCD display192 to display feeding malfunction of wafer and indication that thewafer is to be removed, and drives the cam motor 150 by a predeterminedamount reversely opposing to the normal driving carried out at the timeof a series of tube connecting operation to locate the cam 158 at apredetermined position so that the notched portion 178 formed at the cam158 faces the bearing 172. (See FIG. 25(C).) Thus, the bearing 172 isready to advance into the notched portion 178. In other words, thesecond clamp 7 is allowed to move to an evacuating position in a rightdirection of an arrow B in FIG. 3 (a direction that allows the secondclamp 7 to move in a direction opposite to a direction of the secondclamp 7 at the time of connecting the tubes). (In this embodiment, thesecond clamp 7 is allowed to move by approximately 4 mm.) At thismoment, both of the transmission type sensors 195, 196 are in a statethat they are shielded by the revolving plate 197. (See FIG. 6(C).)

An operator can move the second clamp 7 to the evacuating position andremove the wafer which caused feeding malfunction such as double feedingof the wafers 41 by accessing a space defined between the first clamp 6and the second clamp 7. (See FIG. 25(D).) Incidentally, when theoperator pushes the reset switch 194 after finishing the errorcancellation operation, the CPU 191 fetches a signal thereof, thendrives the motors 110, 150 to reset various mechanisms to an initialstate.

In the next step 720, the CPU 191 makes the EEPROM 500 to renew theexchange information of the wafer 41 from the information expressingbeing unexchanged (e.g., “0”) to the information expressing beingexchanged, then the wafer exchanging subroutine is finished to proceedto step 800 in FIG. 14.

In step 800, the CPU 191 executes a tube connecting subroutine forcutting and connecting the tubes 8, 9. As shown in FIG. 19, in this tubeconnecting subroutine, first, in step 802, the CPU 191 judges as towhether or not the clamp opening/closing sensor 306 detects that thesecond clamp 7 (and the first clamp 6 linked by the long hole 40 and theshaft 19) is in a closed state, namely, whether or not the pawl member39 engages the engagement roller 30. When a negative judgment is made,the CPU 191 makes the LCD display 192 to display indication for urgingan operator that tubes 8, 9 are to be put into the grooves 22, 23 andthen the first clamp 6 and the second clamp 7 are to be closed(unillustrated in FIG. 19), then keeps a waiting state.

An operator puts the tubes 8, 9 into the grooves 22, 23, then carriesout operation for closing the covering body 24 of the first clamp 6 andthe covering body 34 of the second clamp 7 (See FIG. 20.) When theoperator closes either one of the covering body 24 of the first clamp 6or the covering body 34 of the second clamp 7, because the shaft 19 isinserted into the long hole 40, another of the covering body 24 of thefirst clamp 6 or the covering body 34 of the second clamp 7 is linked toclose approximately at the same time. When the operator furthercontinues to carry out the operation for closing the covering body 24and the covering body 34, the tip portion 12 of the tube-pushing member10 firstly abuts and then deforms the tubes 8, 9, which are put in aparallel state at a first position P1 that is an abutting position, to aflat state. (See FIG. 21(A).) At this moment, blood inside the tubes 8,9 at a portion which was pressed by the tube-pushing member 10 is pushedout such that it is excluded in directions of an arrow c and an arrow din FIG. 21(A).

Subsequently, when the operation for closing the covering body 24 andthe covering body 34 is carried out further to engage a tip portion 29Aof the pawl member 29 of the engagement mechanism 26 in the first clamp6 with the engagement roller 20, the first clamp 6 presses and holds thetubes 8, 9 to a flat state with predetermined pressing force at a secondposition P2 which is adjacent to the first position P1. At this time,the tube-pushing member 10 disposed so as to contact the first clamp 6also presses the tubes 8, 9 to an almost squashed state (a state thatblood inside the tubes hardly exits) in the same manner as the firstclamp 6. (See FIG. 21(B).)

FIG. 23(A) shows a state that the covering body 24 of the first clamp 6is closed to the tubes 8, 9 put in the grooves 22, 23 and a state justbefore the tip portion 12 of the tube-pushing member 10 presses tubes 8,9 to a flat state. As shown in FIG. 23(B), when the operator continuesthe operation for closing the covering body 24, the tip portion 12 ofthe tube-pushing member 10 presses the tubes 8, 9 to a flat state. Atthis time, pressing operation by the first clamp 6 and the second clamp7 to the tubes 8, 9 is carried out continuously in a linked manner.

Further, because movement of the second clamp 7 is linked with movementof the first clamp 6, operation for closing the covering body 34 of thesecond clamp 7 is carried out approximately at the same time of theoperation for closing the covering body 24 of the first clamp 6. Whenthe tip portion 39A of the pawl member 39 engages the engagement roller30 according to the engagement mechanism 36 in the second clamp 7, thesecond clamp 7 which is located so as to contact the tube-pushing member10, in the same manner as the first clamp 6, presses and holds the tubes8, 9 to a flat state in an almost squashed state (a state that bloodinside the tubes hardly exits) with predetermined pressing force at athird position P3 which is adjacent to the first position P1 and whichis a position opposing to the second position P2 via the first positionP1. Thus, blood inside the tubes 8, 9 from the second position P2 to thethird position P3 via the first position P1, namely, blood inside thetubes 8, 9 at portions being equivalent from a portion pressed by thefirst clamp 6 to a portion pressed by the second clamp 7 via thetube-pushing member 10 is almost excluded. (See FIG. 21(B).)

When an affirmative judgment is made in step 802, the CPU 191 judges asto whether or not the connecting switch 193 is turned on in the nextstep 804. When a negative judgment is made, the CPU 191 makes the LCDdisplay 192 to display indication for urging operator to push theconnecting switch 193 (unillustrated in FIG. 19) and keeps a waitingstate. When an affirmative judgment is made in step 804, the CPU 191makes the clamp lock solenoid controlling section 506 to magnetize theclamp lock solenoid 400. This brings the plunger 404 to project upwardto engage the expanded diameter portion 405 with the pawl member 39 soas to prohibit opening movement of the pawl member 39, thereby thesecond clamp 7 comes to the locking state in which opening movement isprohibited. Incidentally, because the first clamp 6 is linked with thesecond clamp 7 as stated above, the first clamp also comes to thelocking state in which opening movement is prohibited. In this state,FIGS. 8 and 11 respectively show a state of the second clamp 7 and thefirst clamp 6, and the FIGS. 25(A) and 26(A) show a state of the cam 158and the cams 157, 159.

Next, in step 808, the CPU 191 makes the EEPROM 500 to renew informationwith respect to the exchange information of the wafer 41 from theinformation expressing being exchanged to the information expressingbeing unexchanged. In the next step 810, the CPU 191 supplieselectricity to the wafer 41 via the electrode portions 145, 146 to startheating of the wafer 41, and waits until predetermined heating timelapses in step 812. When the predetermined time lapses, the CPU 191renews the information with respect to the connecting process state inthe EEPROM 500 from the information expressing being in a state ofnon-connecting operation to the information expressing being in a stateof connecting operation.

Subsequently, the CPU 191 drives the cam motor 150 in step 816 and waitsuntil the wafer detecting sensor 421 detects the wafer 41 (wafer holder140) in step 818. When the wafer detecting sensor 421 detects the wafer41, the CPU 191 waits until the wafer detecting sensor 421 does notdetect the wafer 41 in step 820 due to descending of the wafer 41, thenjudges in step 822 as to whether or not the transmission type sensor 196detects the notch 198. When a negative judgment is made, the CPU 191keeps driving of the cam motor 150, while when an affirmative judgmentis made, the CPU 191 stops driving of the cam motor 150 in step 824.

In these steps 816 to 826, cutting and connecting of the tubes 8, 9 arecarried out by the tube connecting apparatus 1, and details thereof areas follows: The CPU 191 drives the cam motor 150, which makes the cam158 and the cams 157, 159 to start rotating in a predetermineddirection, yet the cam 158 retains a state shown in FIG. 25(A) for apredetermined period of time. During this period, the wafer holder 140swings according to rotation of the cam 159 to ascend a predetermineddistance between the first clamp 6 and the second clamp 7. (See FIG.26(B).) Accompanied by this ascending movement, the roller 147 ascendsand the supporting member projection portion 14 which abuts the roller147 also ascends.

As shown in FIG. 22(A), the projection portion 148 which has the metalroller 147 at its tip and which forms a part of the wafer holder 140pushes up a part of the tube-pushing member 10 which pressed the tubes8, 9 at the first position P1, and the heated wafer 41 which is held bythe wafer holder 140 advances to the gap between the first position P1and the second position P2 (between the first clamp 6 and the secondclamp 7) to fuse the two tubes 8, 9. At this time, the tube-pushingmember 10 is brought in a state that it is located at the evacuatingposition to the wafer 41. (See FIG. 23(C).) FIGS. 9 and 12 show a statethat the wafer holder 140 ascends (swings) and the wafer 41 cuts thetubes 8, 9 set at the predetermined positions. On the other hand, thecam 157 rotates (See FIG. 26(B).) from a state shown in FIG. 26(A), butthe first clamp 6 (the supporting table 164) is kept in a stopped statein the same manner as the second clamp 7 (the supporting table 174)shown in FIG. 25(A).

The CPU 191 further continues to drive the cam motor 150. The waferholder 140 retains a state shown in FIG. 26(B), while the first clamp 6(the supporting table 164) moves by a predetermined distance (8 mm) in adirection of an arrow a of a left side of the FIG. 26 (C) (a directiontoward an upper side of the arrow A in FIG. 3, a direction of the arrowX in FIG. 27) according to rotation of the cam 157. At this moment, thepositions of the cut tubes are relatively changed and the end portionsto be connected face each other. At this time, as shown in FIG. 27, thewafer 41 which has cut the tubes 8, 9 is held at a cutting positionthereof in the stopped state. Further at this time, the shaft 19 of thefirst clamp 6 moves inside the long hole 40 of the second clamp 7 in astate that the shaft 19 is inserted in the long hole 40.

Subsequently, the wafer holder 140 swings to descend (See FIG. 26(C).)according to rotation of the cam 159, but the tube-pushing member 10 isheld at the evacuating position in a stopped state (step 820). On theother hand, because the bearing 172 adjacent to the cam 158 slides alonga shape of the flange portion 177, the second clamp 7 (the supportingtable 174) moves by a predetermined distance (0.6 mm) in a direction ofan arrow b in FIG. 25 (B) (a left direction of an arrow B in FIG. 3, adirection of an arrow Y in FIG. 22(C)). Thus, the connecting operationof the tubes 8, 9 is finished. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6(B), thenotch 198 is located at a position that faces the transmission typesensor 196, and the CPU 191 confirms a predetermined state (a state thatthe first clamp 6 is dislocated from the second clamp 7) to stop drivingof the cam motor 150 (steps 822, 824).

In the next step 826, because the connecting operation of the tubes 8, 9is finished, the CPU 191 renews the information with respect to theconnecting process state in the EEPROM 500 from the informationexpressing being in a state of connecting operation to the latestinformation expressing being in a state of non-connecting operation. Inthe next step 828, the CPU 191 makes the wafer current controllingsection to stop supplying electricity to the wafer 41 in order to stopheating of the wafer 41, then in the next step 830, waits until thecooling time of the wafer 41 lapses. When the cooling time lapses, theCPU 191 makes the clamp lock solenoid controlling section 506 todemagnetize the clamp lock solenoid 400 to cancel the locking state instep 832. Then, in step 834, the CPU 191 reads out the accumulatedconnecting number memorized in the EEPROM 500 to increase the number by1, and makes the EEPROM 500 to memorize (renew) the increasedaccumulated connecting number as the latest accumulated connectingnumber, thereby the tube connecting subroutine is finished and theroutine proceeds to step 700 in FIG. 14. Thus, execution of one tubeconnecting routine is completed.

When an operator cancels the engagement of the pawl member 39 againstthe engagement roller 30 according to the engagement mechanism 36 (or26) by lifting the plate piece 28 provided at the tip side of thecovering body 24 in order to remove the tubes that the connectingoperation is finished from a main body of the apparatus, the coveringbody 34 (or 24) becomes an opened state as shown in FIGS. 2, 7 and 10.At this time, the covering body 24 and the covering body 34 are in astate that their relative positions are changed or dislocated, however,because the shaft 19 is inserted in the long hole 40, when the operatorlifts the covering body 34 (or 24), the covering body 24 (or 34) islifted approximately at the same time in a linking manner. Linked withthe opening operation for the covering body 24, the engagement state ofthe tube-pushing member 10 is also canceled.

(Effects and the Like)

Next, effects and the like of the tube connecting apparatus 1 in thisembodiment will be explained.

In the tube connecting apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the tube-pushingmember 10 whose tip portion 12 is protruded a little more than thepressure closing member 62 of the first clamp 6 is disposed between thefirst clamp 6 and the second clamp 7, and the tube-pushing member 10presses the tubes 8, 9 so as to push out the residual blood in the tubesat the pushing portion prior to pressing of the first clamp 6 and thesecond clamp 7 in order to exclude the blood. Accordingly, the tubeconnecting apparatus 1 can connect the tubes each other without beinginfluenced by the blood in the tubes at the time of cutting and thenconnecting the tubes each other. Further, the tube connecting apparatus1 can realize automatically wet-to-wet connecting between the tubeseasily, uniformly and rapidly under a sterilized condition only byputting the tubes 8, 9 in which blood is contained and sealed into thegrooves 22, 23, 32 and 33 and locking the covering bodies 24, 34 withthe engagement mechanisms 26, 36. Because such a tube connectingapparatus has been requested to be realized from a public viewespecially in a medical field, an industrial value thereof seems to beextremely high.

Further, in the tube connecting apparatus 1 of this embodiment, thelatest information with respect to the connecting process state of thetubes 8, 9 is renewed and memorized in the EEPROM 500 (steps 618, 626,814 and 826). When electric power is inputted in the power-onsubroutine, based upon plural information such as the information of thelast connecting process state, the detecting result according to theclamp lock detecting sensor 410 and the detecting result of the wafer 41according to the wafer position detecting sensor 421, the judgment aswhether or not power supply to the tube connecting apparatus 1 was shutoff during last (before power source is inputted) connecting operationof the tubes 8, 9 is made (step 602 to step 606), and the resetting iscarried out (step 610) when the judgment that power supply to the tubeconnecting apparatus 1 was shut off during last connecting operation ismade. Accordingly, the tube connecting apparatus 1 not only satisfiesthe demand of correctness required in the medical field since thejudgment as to whether power supply was shut off is made based uponplural information, but also satisfies the demand of emergency requiredin the medical field since self-resetting is carried out automatically.

Namely, in the tube connecting apparatus 1 of this embodiment, thelocking state is canceled (step 674) when the information with respectto the connecting process state read out from the EEPROM 500 is theinformation expressing being in a state of non-connecting operation(connecting is finished) or when the wafer 41 is not detected by thewafer position detecting sensor 421 (negative judgment in steps 602,606), even if the locking state is being kept according to the selfholding function of the clamp lock solenoid 400. Thus, the operator cantake off the tubes 8, 9. On the other hand, when the information withrespect to the connecting process state read out from the EEPROM 500 isthe information expressing being in a state of connecting operation andthe wafer 41 is detected by the wafer position detecting sensor 421(affirmative judgment in steps 602, 606), the wafer 41 is heated againto fuse the tubes 8, 9 adhered to the wafer 41 and then operation isrestarted to finish the connecting operation (steps 612 to 632). Thus,the operator can take off the tubes 8, 9, however, the error indicationis displayed (step 632) to draw operator's attention in order to secureconnecting strength and sterilized connecting. Accordingly, unlike theconventional tube connecting apparatuses, in the tube connectingapparatus 1 of this embodiment, it is not necessary to return it to afactory or the like to carry out the reset operation to an initialstate. Further, the trouble due to that an operator forcibly takes offthe tubes during the connecting operation and he/she gives damage to theapparatus can be prevented.

Further, in the tube connecting apparatus 1 of this embodiment, sincethe self-holing type clam lock solenoid 400 is used, the expandeddiameter portion 405 of the clamp lock solenoid 400 engages the pawlmember 39 to keep the locking state, even if power supply was shut offduring tube connecting operation. Furthermore, the locking stateaccording to the clamp lock solenoid 400 is cancelled after the coolingtime of the wafer 41 lapsed (steps 630, 830). Accordingly, since anoperator cannot open the covering bodies 24, 34 until the temperature ofthe wafer 41 cools down, the operator never touches the heated wafer 41.

Furthermore, in the tube connecting apparatus 1 of this embodiment,since the wafer 41 is exchanged by the wafer feeding mechanism 100 everytime tube connecting is carried out (step 718), the connecting strengthand the sterilized connection of the tubes 8, 9 are secured. On theother hand, since the latest exchange information of the wafer 41 ismemorized in the EEPROM 500, and since the wafer 41 which has not beenheated yet is used (the exchange information of the wafer 41 is retainedas the information being exchanged as it is renewed in step 720 and theinformation is not judged in steps 602 to 606), even in a case thatpower supply was shut off during tube connecting operation because theconnecting strength and the sterilized connection of the tubes 8, 9 canbe secured, running costs at the time of the reset operation arereduced.

Further, in the tube connecting apparatus 1 of this embodiment, sincethe accumulated connecting number, the date for maintenance and the likeare memorized in the EEPROM 500 and the accumulated connecting numberand the date for maintenance are judged to display the results with theLCD display 192 (steps 656, 664), reliability such as connectingstrength of the tubes 8, 9 required to the tube connecting apparatus 1can be secured in advance.

Further, in the tube connecting apparatus 1 of this embodiment, thepiece to be detected 119 of the wafer feeding member 115 which islocated at the wafer feeding start position is detected by thetransmission type sensor 132, and from the wafer feeding start position,the moving amount of the wafer feeding member 115 is detected by therevolving plate 130 and the transmission type sensor 131. Accordingly, afeeding amount (feed) of the wafer 41 can be detected precisely.Furthermore, since the feeding malfunction is judged when the actuallydetected number of pulses is more than the predetermined number ofpulses, detection accuracy of the feeding malfunction of the wafer 41can be improved.

Furthermore, in the tube connecting apparatus 1 of this embodiment,since the structure that the bearing 172 is capable of advancing intothe notched portion 178 when the feeding malfunction of the wafer 41caused is employed, an operator can cancel the feeding malfunction ofthe wafer 41 by moving the second clamp 7 to the evacuating position.Conventionally, when this type of error was occurred, the apparatus wasreturned to a factory as malfunction of the apparatus to remove thewafer which caused the feeding malfunction through disassembling theapparatus. However, according to the tube connecting apparatus 1, sincean operator can easily carry out error cancellation due to the feedingmalfunction of the wafer, operability and reliance to the apparatus canbe improved.

Further, in the tube connecting apparatus 1 of this embodiment, sincethe wafer feeding mechanism 100 is stopped when the full state of thewaste box 142 is detected by the transmission type sensor 143, even ifautomatic thrusting (feeding) structure for the wafer(s) is employed,the wafer jammed by the following wafer at the conveying path can beprevented. Furthermore, in the tube connecting apparatus 1, whether ornot the first clamp 6 and the second clamp 7 can hold the tubes 8, 9 inparallel with each other is judged according to the transmission typesensor 195, and when the clamps are not parallel (not in the initialpositions), the apparatus is not started as it is but the apparatus isstarted after the first clamp 6 and second clamp 7 are returned to theappropriate initial positions according to pushing of the reset switch194. Accordingly, regular cutting and connecting operation can be alwayssecured.

Moreover, in the tube connecting apparatus 1 of this embodiment, sincethe shaft 19 of the first clamp 6 can be inserted into the long hole 40of the second clamp 7, not only in a state that the first clamp 6 andthe second clamp 7 are located at the initial positions (a time ofsetting the tubes) but also in a state that relative positions thereofare changed (a time of finishing connecting the tubes), when either oneof the covering body 24 of the first clamp 6 or the covering body 34 ofthe second clamp 7 is opened/closed, another of the covering body 24 ofthe first clamp 6 or the covering body 34 of the second clamp 7 isopened/closed approximately at the same time in a linking manner.Accordingly, operability or handling efficiency is improved. Further, inthe tube connecting apparatus 1, the cam structure is employed insteadof the conventional movement mechanism(s) which moves directly the firstclamp 6 and the second clamp 7 in the X, Y directions such as an X, Ytable or the like. Accordingly, downsizing of the apparatus per se canbe realized.

Incidentally, in this embodiment, an example that the clamp locksolenoid 400 is disposed at the side of the second clamp 7 and the waferposition detecting sensor 421 is disposed at the side of the first clamp6 was shown. However, the present invention is not limited to suchdisposition. The clamp lock solenoid 400 may be disposed at the side ofthe first clamp 7 and the wafer position detecting sensor 421 may bedisposed at the side of the second clamp 6.

Further, in this embodiment, a structure that the two kinds of coils aremounted on the clamp lock solenoid 400 and that each of the coils arecharged with electricity respectively at the time of moving the plunger404 in different directions was exemplified, however, a clamp locksolenoid of which the coil is common may be used by changing a directionof current such that plus/minus of the coil is connected reversibly.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the EEPROM 500 was exemplified as anon-volatile memory, however, the present invention is not limited tothe same. An EPROM, a flash memory or a magnetic memory and the likesuch as a core memory or the like may be used. Further, in thisembodiment, an example that the EEPROM 500 is connected to an internalbus of the controlling unit 190 via the external bus was shown, however,the present invention is not limited to this. The non-volatile memorymay be disposed integrally with the CPU, ROM and RAM such that it can beconnected by an internal bus.

Moreover, in this embodiment, an example that, by using the waferposition detecting sensor 421 and the shield plate 420 fixed to(provided integrally with) the wafer holder 140, the wafer positiondetecting sensor 421 detects the wafer holder 140 in a state that theshield plate 420 shields the light path of the wafer position detectingsensor 421 when the wafer holder 140 is rotated to ascend such that thewafer 41 is located at the cutting position at which the wafer 41 cutsthe tubes 8, 9, was shown. However, to the contrary, a structure thatthe wafer holder 140 (wafer 41) is located at a downward initialposition (non-cutting position) to detect the wafer holder 140 byshielding the light path of the wafer position detecting sensor 421 withthe shielding plate 420 (When the wafer holder 140 ascends to locate thewafer 41 at the cutting position for cutting the tubes 8, 9, the waferposition detecting sensor 421 does not detect the wafer holder 140because the light path of the wafer position detecting sensor is notshielded by the shield plate 420 but is transmitted.) may be employed.In this case, related judgments and controlling of operation may bechanged appropriately.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example that connecting of the tubesin which blood is contained and sealed each other was shown, however,the present invention is not restricted to this. The present inventionmay be applied either in a case of connecting between a tube in whichblood is contained and an empty tube or in a case of connecting betweenempty tubes in which blood is not contained; both have been carried outconventionally. Further, in this embodiment, an example that the longhole 40 is formed at the second clamp 7 was shown, however, the presentinvention is not confined to this. A convex shaped portion may be formedat a lower side of the plate piece 38 of the second clamp 7, and theshaft 19 and the long hole 40 respectively provided at the first clamp 6and the second clamp 7 may be provided reversibly.

Further, in this embodiment, the tube connecting apparatus whichconnects the two tubes in which blood is contained and sealed was shown.However, the present invention is not restricted to the same. It is alsoapplicable to a tube connecting apparatus which connects three tubes ormore, or a tube connecting apparatus which connects tubes in whichliquid other than blood is contained and sealed properly each other.

Moreover, in this embodiment, a structure that the wafer holder 140 canhold two wafers was exemplified, however, the present invention is notlimited to the same. The wafer holder may hold a single wafer, or, threewafers or more.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the saw-shaped pressure closing members61, 62, 71, 72 and the saw-shaped tube-pushing member 10 were explained.However, since it is sufficient for these members to have a function forpushing out and excluding blood in the tubes 8, 9, they may press andclose the tubes 8, 9, for example, at their horizontal faces. Further,the wafer 41 is not limited to the self-heating typed one. For example,the wafer may have a structure heated by a heat source such as anelectric heater.

Moreover, in this embodiment, an example that, in the power-onsubroutine (See FIG. 15.), when electric power is inputted, the CPU 191judges as to whether power supply was shut off during last tubeconnecting operation based upon the information with respect to theconnecting process information memorized in the EEPROM 500, thedetecting result according to the clamp lock detecting sensor 410 andthe detecting result of wafer 41 according to the wafer positiondetecting sensor 421 was shown (step 602 to step 606), however, thepresent invention is not limited to this. The power-on subroutine maylack one or both of the steps 602, 604, or, one or both of the steps604, 606. For example, in a case that the routine lacks the step 602,the EEPROM 500 may be unnecessary and the CPU 191 may judge as towhether power supply was shut off only by the detecting informationaccording to the wafer position detecting sensor 421. Further, in thisembodiment, a typical example that power supply was shut off wasexemplified, however, the present invention is not restricted to this.The present invention is applicable to a case that the tube connectingapparatus 1 has a halt or restarts even if power supply is not shut off.

And, in this embodiment, an example that a memory capacity of the EEPROM500 is made small by setting the information with respect to connectingprocess state of the tubes 8, 9 or the exchange information of the wafer41 to one bit and by renewing the information with respect to the latestconnecting process state or the exchange state, the present invention isnot limited to this. For example, a storage area for the informationwith respect to the connecting process state and the exchangeinformation is set, the EEPROM 500 memorizes the information withrespect to the connecting process state, the exchange information andinformation for identifying the latest information added theretosequentially without deleting the previous information with respect tothe connecting process state or the previous exchange information, andthe EEPROM 500 may read out the latest information with respect to theconnecting process state and the latest exchange information accordingto the information for identifying the latest information. In this case,since the storage area for memorizing the information with respect tothe connecting process state and the exchange information is set, dataoverflow in the order of older information.

Description of Numerals

-   1 tube connecting apparatus-   6 first clamp (holding section)-   7 second clamp (holding section)-   8, 9 tube-   41 wafer (cutting plate)-   100 wafer feeding mechanism (cutting plate conveying section)-   132, 133 transmission type sensor (cutting plate conveying section    detecting sensor)-   140 wafer holder (cutting section)-   145 electrode portion-   150 cam motor (a part of a holding section movement unit, a part of    a cutting section movement unit)-   156 driving shaft (a part of a holding section movement unit, a part    of a cutting section movement unit)-   159 cam (a part of a cutting plate movement unit)-   190 controlling section (a part of a controlling section)-   192 LCD display (display section)-   195, 196 transmission type sensor (position detecting sensor)-   200 drive-conveying mechanism (a part of a holding section movement    unit, a part of a cutting section movement unit, a part of a cutting    plate conveying section)-   400 clamp lock solenoid (engagement section)-   410 clamp lock detecting sensor (holding section lock sensor)-   421 wafer position detecting sensor (cutting section detecting    sensor)

1. A tube connecting apparatus, comprising: a holding section whichholds at least two flexible tubes to press them to a flat state; acutting section which cuts the tubes held in a flat state by the holdingsection; an electrode section for supplying electric power for heatingto the cutting section; a cutting section movement unit which moves thecutting section between a tube cutting position and a tube non-cuttingposition; a cutting section detecting sensor which detects the cuttingsection moved by the cutting section movement unit; a holding sectionmovement unit which moves the holding section to change relativepositions of the cut tubes such that end portions to be connectedcontact closely each other; a controlling section which controls powersupply to the electrode section as well as movement of the cuttingsection movement unit and the holding section movement unit; and adisplay section for displaying information, wherein the controllingsection comprises a non-volatile memory which memorizes informationexpressing that the apparatus is in a connecting operation state inwhich the end portions of the cut tubes are being connected, and whereinthe controlling section is programmed to judge, when power is supplied,that a reset operation is necessary when the information memorized inthe non-volatile memory is information expressing that the apparatus isin the connecting operation state, and executes the reset operationduring which the cutting section is heated again, the connectingoperation is restarted to finish the connecting operation, and an errorindication is displayed on the display section.
 2. A tube connectingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the information memorizedin the non-volatile memory is information expressing that the apparatusis in a connecting operation state, and, when the cutting sectiondetecting sensor detects the cutting section moved to the tube cuttingposition, the controlling section is programmed to judge that the resetoperation is necessary and executes the reset operation.
 3. A tubeconnecting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: anengagement section which engages at least a part of the holding sectionto prohibit the holding section from opening movement out of thepressing state of the tubes; and a holding section lock sensor whichdetects an engagement state of the engagement section against theholding section, wherein when the information memorized in thenon-volatile memory is information expressing that the apparatus is in aconnecting operation state, and, when the cutting section detectingsensor detects the cutting section moved to the tube cutting positionand the holding section lock sensor detects the holding section engagedwith the engagement section, the controlling section is programmed tojudge that the reset operation is necessary and executes the resetoperation.
 4. A tube connecting apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising a position detecting sensor which detects that the holdingsection moved by the holding section movement unit reaches a connectionfinish position for contacting closely the end portions of the cut tubeseach other, wherein when the position detecting sensor detects that theholding section reaches the connection finish position, the controllingsection drives the non-volatile memory to memorize informationexpressing that the apparatus is in a non-connecting operation state. 5.A tube connecting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: acutting plate which is held by the cutting section replaceably; and acutting plate conveying section which conveys the cutting plate to thecutting section replaceably, wherein the non-volatile memory is capableof memorizing exchange information of the cutting plate.
 6. A tubeconnecting apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a cuttingplate conveying section detecting sensor which detects the cutting plateconveying section, wherein when the cutting plate conveying sectiondetecting sensor detects the cutting plate conveying section, thecontrolling section drives the non-volatile memory to memorizeinformation expressing the cutting plate being exchanged as the exchangeinformation of the cutting plate.
 7. A tube connecting apparatusaccording to claim 5, further comprising: an engagement section whichengages at least a part of the holding section to prohibit the holdingsection from opening movement out of the pressing state of the tubes;and a holding section lock sensor which detects an engagement state ofthe engagement section against the holding section, wherein when theinformation memorized in the non-volatile memory is informationexpressing that the apparatus is in a non-connecting operation state,and, when the holding section lock sensor detects the holding sectionengaged with the engagement section, the controlling section drives thenon-volatile memory to memorize information expressing the cutting platebeing unexchanged as the exchange information of the cutting plate.
 8. Atube connecting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the engagementsection is a self-holding type solenoid into which a permanent magnetand a plunger are accommodated.
 9. A tube connecting apparatus accordingto claim 5, wherein when the information memorized in the non-volatilememory is information expressing that the apparatus is in anon-connecting operation state, and, when the exchange information ofthe cutting plate memorized in the non-volatile memory is informationexpressing the cutting plate being unexchanged, the controlling sectioncontrols the cutting plate conveying section to convey the cutting plateto the cutting section.